One-Pot Chicken and Vegetable Stew with Creamy Polenta
A comforting one-pot stew featuring tender chicken simmered with fresh vegetables, served over smooth creamy polenta. This comfort food-inspired one pot ready in about 50 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 2 medium, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick carrots
- 2, sliced celery stalks
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup quick-cook polenta
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 2-inch pieces and brown for 5 minutes, turning occasionally until golden on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 diced medium yellow onion, 2 sliced medium carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and onions turn translucent.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Return chicken to the pot along with 3 cups chicken broth, 1 cup diced tomatoes, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp dried rosemary, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir well.
- Step 5: Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce to low heat. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes until chicken is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Step 6: While stew simmers, bring 4 cups water to a boil in a separate saucepan. Slowly whisk in 1 cup quick-cook polenta and reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Step 7: Remove polenta from heat and stir in 2 tbsp butter and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese until creamy and smooth.
- Step 8: Serve the chicken and vegetable stew ladled over warm creamy polenta.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Chicken and Vegetable Stew with Creamy Polenta take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Chicken and Vegetable Stew with Creamy Polenta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Chicken and Vegetable Stew with Creamy Polenta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Chicken and Vegetable Stew with Creamy Polenta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Chicken and Vegetable Stew with Creamy Polenta?
Comfort Food one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
